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Cardinals outright three to Triple-A Memphis

Cardinals outright three to Triple-A Memphis

8/30/12: One at-bat after doubling to lead off the eighth, Bryan Anderson comes around to score following Ryan Zimmerman's throwing error

By Jenifer Langosch
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MLB.com |

ST. LOUIS -- The Cardinals have created three openings on their 40-man roster by outrighting catcher/first baseman Steven Hill, catcher Bryan Anderson and right-hander Adam Reifer to Triple-A Memphis.

In doing so, the Cardinals cleared room to begin adding free agents or Minor League players with Rule 5 Draft eligibility to their roster. The deadline to protect players from the December Rule 5 Draft is Nov. 20. Saturday marked the first day that free agents are able to begin negotiating with all clubs.

Hill and Anderson both earned promotions to St. Louis during the season. Reifer has yet to make his Major League debut.

Hill, 27, had two separate stints with the Major League club in 2012, but accrued only 10 at-bats (2-for-10). In 87 Minor League games, Hill hit .266 with 16 doubles, 17 homers and 52 RBIs. He appeared at five different positions, in addition to serving as Memphis' designated hitter seven times.

Anderson, 25, began the year in Memphis after competing with Tony Cruz for a Major League roster spot during Spring Training. Like Hill, Anderson was called up to the Majors twice during the season and had 12 at-bats (3-for-12). He batted .225 in 100 games with Memphis.

Reifer, 26, spent his second full season at Memphis in 2012 and posted a 4.90 ERA in 58 relief appearances. In 64 1/3 innings, Reifer walked 20 and struck out 44.

Reifer and Hill were both members of the Cardinals' 2007 Draft class. Anderson was drafted by the organization two years earlier.